First Relaxer Ever Help

_nellypoo

New Member
I got my first relaxer ever about 3 weeks ago, and am having some issues managing my new texture. I would really appreciate some tips on managing.

1. How often is too often for washing? I would like to wash/deep condition twice a week.

2. How do you preserve roller sets?

3. Do you have one tip that you wish you would have known a long time in managing relaxed hair?
 

LushLox

Well-Known Member
1. How often is too often for washing? I would like to wash/deep condition twice a week.
You have to be guided by your hair, many people will tell you different things. Some will say that they need to wash and DC once or twice a week, other people can get away with washing twice or even once a month. You have to see how your hair reacts in doing different things. I would love to be able to wash twice a month but my scalp reacts badly, I need to be cleansing my hair fairly regularly.

2. How do you preserve roller sets?
I either use satin rollers or flexi rods, this keeps the ends nice and smooth. Pin curls work too.

3. Do you have one tip that you wish you would have known a long time in managing relaxed hair?

Not really just a relaxed hair thing but for all types of hair, understand what works for you and what doesn't, both in terms of product and technique. When you find out what works - be consistent!


Welcome to the forum by the way, please join us in the Relaxed Hair thread, plenty of tips and talking through issues on there.

https://longhaircareforum.com/threads/relaxed-hair-thread.524429/
 
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Royalq

Well-Known Member
I’m relaxed-
- is there a reason that you want to wash twice weekly or is that a habit your bringing over from being natural? I would wash as needed which is usually 1.5-2 weeks. If your washing as frequently as 2x a week it should be non sulfate
- idk about roller sets. I was never into the rolled curls I always pulled the curls and wrapped my hair.
- I would say DC with protein and moisture and hiding my ends. Oh! And taking my iron vitamins. I def would have reached my goal by now had I of been taking my vitamins
 

_nellypoo

New Member
I’m relaxed-
- is there a reason that you want to wash twice weekly or is that a habit your bringing over from being natural? I would wash as needed which is usually 1.5-2 weeks. If your washing as frequently as 2x a week it should be non sulfate
- idk about roller sets. I was never into the rolled curls I always pulled the curls and wrapped my hair.
- I would say DC with protein and moisture and hiding my ends. Oh! And taking my iron vitamins. I def would have reached my goal by now had I of been taking my vitamins

I am still figuring out which products my hair likes, and Ive found that any product build up leaves my hair feeling dirty and greasy. Also I really enjoy washing my hair.
 

Royalq

Well-Known Member
I am still figuring out which products my hair likes, and Ive found that any product build up leaves my hair feeling dirty and greasy. Also I really enjoy washing my hair.
Yes depending on the style relaxed hair can get weighed down very easily especially when straighten. I’ve found that it’s more important for me to have a really good moisturizing/protein DC before straightening versus finding light weight products to apply to straight hair
 

Mai Tai

Miss Nigeria-America
I was relaxed for YEARS and now I'm a natural who keeps my hair straight 100% of the time. To answer your questions...

1. How often is too often for washing? I would like to wash/deep condition twice a week.
I washed my hair every 7-10 days depending on how much sweating I did. Anything more often then that I would experience dryness because my hair is a very thick and dense 4b that I have to really work to maintain moisture levels. You really have to do what works for you because there are plenty of relaxed heads that can sustain that amount of manipulation.

2. How do you preserve roller sets?
I can't really answer this because I never wore roller sets. I wrapped my hair each night and combed down in the morning.

3. Do you have one tip that you wish you would have known a long time in managing relaxed hair?
To be honest, I love wearing my hair straight and have learned that I am able to manage a sleek, bouncy, flat iron with my natural hair just like my relaxed hair. I wish I had known earlier that I didn't really need to chemically straighten my hair. I also wish I would have avoided all of the bandwagons when I first became interested in caring for my hair. I thrive best off of keeping it simple.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
Good advice, ladies. So true.
Yes, focus more on finding a good protein tx and moisturizing DC that will give your hair what it needs. A good DC can cover a multitude of hair sins. Lol.

How often you wash will depend on your hair. I cowash or water rinse 2-3 times per week or more instead of actually washing with a sulfate poo that often. I use a sulfate poo every few weeks or whenever my hair feels too coated and needs a reset. More often than not, my cowash is really a cleanser of some sort. I use ayurveda powders but you can also use baking soda or castile soap mixed into conditioner for a gentle cleanser. I love a clean scalp and clean smelling hair.

However, because of that, I can't do styles that require setting like roller or rod setting. If you want to wet your hair that frequently perhaps you could start doing bantu knots instead of roller sets. This sis, Lauren Mechelle, used to post here but I haven't seen her lately. And for some reason, her YT vids are all gone. Her hair is super gorgeous and her bantu knot outs are bomb!

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Here's my humble knot out from a few years ago-

View media item 126931View media item 126933
 

carljr

Relaxed & Highlighted
1. How often is too often for washing? I would like to wash/deep condition twice a week. I'm relaxed and highlighted: I wash once a week, protein (light-med) and deep condition for 25min. I use Aphoghee 2 min a week before relaxer.

2. How do you preserve roller sets? Usually I wrap after my roller set, if I want curls later during the week I use flexi-rods.

3. Do you have one tip that you wish you would have known a long time in managing relaxed hair? Protein, this helped me so much in maintaining my length.
 
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